Oyster plate



March 17, 1936.

c. A. LEVY OYSTER PLATE Filed NOV. 8, 1935 Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNHESTATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

My invention relates to a serving dish, and more particularly to a dishfor serving oysters and similar bi-valves, displayed on the half-shell.

It has hitherto been the practice in the better restaurants, clubs,hotels, etc. to serve the half-shells of the bi-valves seated directlyin a bed of ice, with the attendant disadvantage that the guestoften-times has difficulty in preventing the oysters and the like fromslipping about on the dish, and that he is subjected to the danger fromwetting from the cracked ice which is pushed around as a consequence ofthe movement of the half-shells. The further disadvantages are presentthat the juices of the oyster, which slop over from the shells duringthe movement thereof, discolor the ice and render it unattractive inappearance, while a dish or container separate from the oyster platemust be used to serve the sauce or other condiment.

My invention removes these disadvantages simply by providing a well forthe cracked ice, which latter is concealed from the guest; whileoverlying the well is removably provided a cover plate of any suitablematerial such as Monel or other stainless metal, wood, pottery or thelike, which cover plate has a pluralty of openings, preferably ofapproximately egg-shape, having approximately the contours of thehalf-shell of an oyster or'other bi-valve to be served, the saidopenings receiving the half-shells so as to immobilize them in largemeasure against lateral movement, and to seat them in the ice. The wellportion and the cover plate may be of rectangular or other desiredshape, but preferably is circular, similar to the conventional dish. Anopening is provided in the cover plate for the reception of a condimentcontainer, and while this may have any desired location in the coverplate, I prefer to locate it in the center thereof. In one instance Iprolong the walls of this last-mentioned opening and close them at thebottom, thereby forming a well which brings the condiment container inindirect contact with the ice.

In a preferred embodiment I provide an additional set of openings, ofsmall diameter, preferably one for each of the openings for thereception of the half-shells, in order to drain 01f any juices from theoysters and the like into the well, so that the plate is always keptsightly. Thus it will be seen that these small openings may be disposedin any desired positions on the cover plate, but in my two preferredembodiments, circular and rectangular respectively, I form the smallopenings concentrically about the central well in the first case, andalong the longitudinal axis in the second. Preferably, but notnecessarily, I impart a convenient dish or taper to the cover plate, tofacilitate drainage into the small openings.

I have found it advisable in some instances, especially when the coverplates are stamped from metal sheeting, to form strengthening ribsthereon of desired shape and direction.

From the foregoing it will be seen that one object of my invention is toproduce a new form of oyster plate or the like, for serving bi-valves.

Another object is to produce a new form of oyster plate in which thehalf-shells of the oysters or other bi-valves are displayed attractivelyand are substantially immobilized against sidewlse movement, while beingseated in ice which is concealed from View.

Another object is to produce a two-part oyster plate, the lower half ofwhich is adapted for the reception of cracked ice, and the top part 20of which is adapted to receive the half shells of oysters or otherbi-valves and to seat them in approximately immobile manner in the ice,provision being made to drain any juices from the oysters into the lowerhalf.

5 Still another object is to produce a two-part 2 oyster plate, thelower half of which is adapted for the reception of cracked ice, and thetop part of which is adapted to receive the half-shells of oysters orthe like and to seat them in approximately immobile manner in the ice,provision being made to drain any juices from the oysters into the lowerice, and provision also being made to suspend a condiment containerdirectly in the cover plate and to seat it in the ice.

35 Yet another object is to produce an oyster plate such as defined inthe paragraph immediately preceding, in which the cover plate isstrengthened in suitable manner.

Other objects and advantages will more fully 40 appear in the followingdescription, taken in the light of the accompanying drawing, wherein areshown, merely by way of example, two at-presentpreferred forms of myinvention.

In the drawing:

45 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second form of my invention; while Fig. 4 isa section on line 4-4 thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a Well portion I for thereception of cracked ice, having a lip 2. A cover plate 3, preferablyslightly dished towards the center, overlies the well portion l, andrests in removable manner on the lip 2. The cover plate 3 is shown ashaving a downturned, peripheral flange 3 by means of which the coverplate is caused to seat snugly over the lip 2, and to be immobilizedsubstantially against lateral movement.

As shown, the cover plate 3 has therein a plurality of openings 4, whichmay be of any desired number, but which are shown as six, so that thisoyster plate can serve a half-dozen oysters. The openings 4 arepreferably of approximately eggshape (a modified-ellipse) and arecontoured to approximately the shape of the half-shell of an oyster orother bi-valve. The openings are so dimensioned that they will receivethe half-shells in such manner as to immobilize them against lateralmovement, at the same time allowing the shells to sink through to suchan extent that they seat directly on the ice.

A well 5 is provided in any desired part of the cover plate 3, and isshown at the center thereof. This well is intended for the reception ofa condiment or the like, and although in the form illustrated the sauceor condiment may be placed directly in the well 5, it is intended thatthe sauce be placed in a container which removably seats in the saidwell 5. This well 5 is shown as having a wall 6 depending downwardlyfrom the cover plate 3, as well as a bottom 1. In this case it will beseen that the sauce container comes only indirectly into contact withthe ice, though it is perfectly feasible to form the well 5 simply as anopening, in which case the condiment container directly contacts theice.

Preferably a plurality of small openings 8 are provided in the coverplate in such manner as to drain off into the well portion I any juiceswhich may slop over from the oysters and the like, to maintain thesurface of the cover plate clean and attractive, and this action isfacilitated to a considerable extent in those cases where the coverplate is dished. While the opening 8 may be located conveniently wheredesired, I prefer to provide one for each opening 4, and to dispose thembetween the openings 4 and the well 5.

The well portion l and the cover plate 2 may be formed of the same ordifferent convenient materials, such as metals, stainless '(such asMonel metal) or otherwise, wood, porcelain, pottery and the like; and inthe case of metals they may be cast, forged, machined, stamped orotherwise produced. If stamped from sheet metal it is preferable toprovide strengthening ribs of desired shape, size and direction. In Fig.1 I show radial ribs 9 on the cover plate 3, extending from the well 5,one between each pair of openings 4, to an outer annular rib l0.

Figs. 3 and 4 differs from the foregoing in that the well portion l l ismade rectangular in shape, and has a lip I3 on the walls l2 thereof. Therectangular cover plate M has edges l5 removably overlying the lip l3,and is shown as provided with any desired number, say a dozen openings18 corresponding individually to openings 4 of Figs. 1 and 2. While theopenings l6 may be disposed in any desired manner, they are shown asbeing arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis ofthe cover plate.

Between each pair of openings I6 is preferably disposed a smallerdrainage opening ll fulfilling the same function as the openings 8 inthe first embodiment. The cover plate is preferably, but notnecessarily, dished towards the longitudinal axis to facilitate thisdrainage. Although the openings I! are shown on the longitudinal axis,they of course may be disposed as desired, in any desired number, ormay, if the attendant inconvenience is to be tolerated, be omittedentirely.

An opening I8, shown as having an upstanding lip l9, preferably isdisposed centrally of the cover plate l4, although of course thisopening may be located in any desired position on the cover plate as forexample at one end thereof. This opening, which is analogous to the well5 in Figs. 1 and 2, is adapted to receive a condiment container, and toseat the latter directly on the No strengthening ribs are shown in Figs.3 and 4, although it is obvious that they may be employed, if their useis found desirable or necessary.

It will be seen that by the use of my device the oysters or otherbi-valves are displayed in pleasing and attractive manner, while beingseated in ice and at the same time being restrained against lateralmovement, any juices which are slopped over therefrom being quicklydrained off to keep the surface of the cover plate clean and attractive.A condiment, served in a container or otherwise, is served directly inthe plate, and is chilled by suspension in the ice-well portion of theplate.

It is obvious that many adaptations and modifications are feasible, allfalling within the spirit of my invention. Accordingly, I intend that myinvention be limited. only by the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted toreceive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removablyoverlying the ice-containing region of said bottom portion, the saidcover plate having a plurality of openings therein conformingsubstantially to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shellsof said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewisemovement, in the ice in the well.

2. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dished cover plateremovably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion andresting on the rim of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality ofopenings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, thesaid openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, forreceiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them,restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well.

3. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted toreceive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removablyoverlying the entire said bottom portion, the said cover plate having aplurality of openings therein conforming approximately to the shape ofbi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bivalves and forsuspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in thewell, said cover plate having an additional opening therein shaped toreceive and to seat a condiment container in the ice contained in saidwellshaped. portion beneath said cover plate.

4. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dished cover plateremovably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion andresting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate having aplurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of acircle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shapeofbi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewisemovement, in the ice in the well, said cover plate having an additionalopening therein shaped to receive and to seat a condiment container inthe ice.

5. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plateremovably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion andresting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate-having aplurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of acircle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape ofbivalves, for receiving the half-shells of said bivalves and forsuspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in theWell, and a closed-bottom well seated in and forming part of said coverplate and shaped to receive a condiment container and to seat the latterin the ice.

6. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, well shaped portion adapted toreceive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removablyoverlying the ice-containing region of said bottom portion, the saidcover plate having a plurality of openings therein conformingapproximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shellsof said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewisemovement, in the ice in the well, said cover plate having an additional,centrally-disposed opening therein shaped to receive and to seat acondiment container in the ice.

7. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plateremovably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion andresting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate having aplurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of acircle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape ofbi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and forsuspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in thewell, and a centrally-disposed, closed-bottom well seated in and formingpart of said cover plate and. shaped to receive a condiment containerand to seat the latter in the ice.

8. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted toreceive cracked ice, and an approximately flat, slightly dished, coverplate removably overlying said bottom portion, the said cover platehaving a plurality of openings therein conforming approximately to theshape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves andfor suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice inthe well, the said cover plate having a further opening therein shapedto receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also havingdrainage means disposed therein in such manner as to drain the juicesfrom the bi-valves into the Well portion.

9. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped, slightlydished, cover plate removably overlying said well portion and resting onthe rim of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openingstherein disposed substantially in the form of. a circle, the

said openings conforming: approximately to the shape of bievalves, forreceiving the half-shells of saidbi-valves and for suspending them,restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the saidcover plate having a further, centrally-disposed opening therein shapedto receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also havingdrainage means group-ed about the center thereof to drain the juicesfrom the bivalves into the well portion.

10,-. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted toreceive cracked ice, and an approximately fiat cover plate, dishedtowards thelongitudinal axis, removably overlying said bottom portion,the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conformingapproximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shellsof said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewisemovement, in the ice in the well, the said cover plate having a furtheropening therein shaped to receive and seat a condiment container in theice, and also having drainage means disposed therein in such manner asto drain the juices from the bi-valves into the well portion.

11. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plate,dished towards the center, removably overlying said well portion andresting on the rim of. the latter, the cover plate having a plurality ofopenings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, thesaid openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, forreceiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them,restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the saidcover plate having a further, centrally-disposed opening therein shapedto receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also havingdrainage means grouped about the center thereof to drain the juices fromthe bi-valves into the well portion.

12. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-likecontour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plateremovably overlying said well portion and resting on the rim of thelatter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposedsubstantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conformingapproximately to the shape of bi-valves and for suspending them,restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well,strengthening ribs extending radially out from the center of said coverplate along the top thereof, one between each pair of said plurality ofopenings, and an annular strengthening rib disposed near the peripheryof said plate, and to which said radial ribs join.

13. A serving dish comprising a circular bottom, well-shaped portionadapted for the reception of cracked ice, and an approximately flat,centrally-dished cover plate overlying said wellshaped portion andresting on the rim of the latter, the said cover plate having aplurality of openings therein, of approximately egg-shape, disposed inthe form of a circle concentric with the cover plate, the said openingsconforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving thehalf-shells of said bi-valves and suspending them, restrained againstsidewise movement in the cover plate, in the ice in the well, a closedbottom well disposed in the center of said cover plate and shaped toreceive a condiment container and to seat the latter in the ice, thesaid cover plate also having a plurality of drainage openings groupedabout the said closed-bottom well, between the latter and thefirst-mentioned openings, there being one such opening for each of thefirst-mentioned openings, for draining the juices from the bi-valvesinto the well portion, radially extending strengthening ribs in saidcover plate, one between each pair of said first-mentioned openings, anda downturned annular flange on the rim of said cover plate and adaptedto overlie snugly the lip of the well portion thereby immobilizing thecover plate on the well portion.

14. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, rectangular-shaped, wellportion adapted for the reception of cracked ice, a lip extending aboutthe periphery of said well portion, and a rectangular-shaped cover plateremovably overlying said well portion and resting on the lip thereof,

the said cover plate having a plurality of approximately egg-shapedopenings therein, conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves,for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and suspending them,restrained against sidewise movement in the cover plate, in the ice inthe well, the said. openings being disposed in pairs along oppositesides of the longitudinal axis of the cover plate, the said cover platealso having a central opening for the suspension of a condimentcontainer in the ice in the well, and also having a plurality of smallopenings disposed approximately on the longitudinal axis thereof, onefor each pair of said first-mentioned openings,

for draining the juices from said bi-valves into the well. CORNELIUS A.LEVY.

